As the start of the new season grows closer, CBB Review gives its ACC Basketball Preview.
ACC Basketball Projected Standings
1. North Carolina Tar Heels
2. Duke Blue Devils
3. Virginia Cavaliers
4. Florida State Seminoles
5. Miami Hurricanes
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
7. Syracuse Orange
8. Virginia Tech Hokies
9. North Carolina State Wolfpack
10. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
11. Louisville Cardinals
12. Clemson Tigers
13. Pittsburgh Panthers
14. Boston College Eagles
15. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Preseason Player of the Year
Armando Bacot, North Carolina
Bacot is an absolute problem for opposing teams. The 6-11, 235 big man out of Richmond is a threat with the rock, and when he is trying to snag it off the boards. UNC’s center averaged 16.3 points per contest last season to go along with a whopping 13.1 rebounds in his third year. This season should not be any different, as Bacot could only have improved his game. He looked very close to unstoppable at points last season, and this season should not be any different, giving Bacot our Preseason Player of the Year.
Preseason Coach of the Year
Tony Bennett, Virginia
Bennett is bringing back his entire starting five from a season ago. Last year, his team failed to make the field of 68 for the first time under Bennett since 2013. However, he adds Ben Vander Plas, who expands the offense by being an exterior threat, and the strongest class that has come to Charlottesville since Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome, DeAndre Hunter, and Jay Huff came to town. Expect Virginia to bounce back in a big way, with Bennett leading the charge.
Preseason Freshman of the Year
Derek Lively II, Duke
Lively is any coach’s dream, let alone a first-year coach looking to make some noise in his first season. He stands at 7-1, 220 lbs, and moves like a quick point guard. He can score at all three levels and utilizes his length at a high level on defense. Lively will be a problem for any ACC basketball opponent and will join a long list of Duke newcomers to make immediate noise upon arrival.
Preseason Transfer of the Year
Nijel Pack, Miami
What a get for Jim Larranaga and Miami. Miami used the NIL rule change to its full purpose, guaranteeing Pack an 800,000 dollar deal when he committed to Miami. Pack is not only a money maker, he is an extraordinary basketball player. Last season at Kansas State, Pack posted 17.4 points a game, shooting 43% from beyond the arc. The offensive spark is exactly what the Hurricanes needed, and he will look to lift Miami to a top-four seed in the ACC Basketball Tournament, which gets them the coveted double-bye.
Nijel Pack really doesn’t miss.
— Luke Chaney (@luke_chaney4) October 20, 2022
Shot 44% from three last season at Kansas State. @AllHurricanes pic.twitter.com/gI9LewLZWg
Preseason First Team
- G: Caleb Love, North Carolina
- G: Isaiah Wong, Miami
- F: Armando Bacot, North Carolina
- F: Jayden Gardner, Virginia
- C: Derek Lively II, Duke
Preseason Second Team
- G: Jeremy Roach, Duke
- G: RJ Davis, North Carolina
- G: Terquavion Smith, North Carolina State
- F: John Hugley IV, Pittsburgh
- C: PJ Hall, Clemson
Preseason All-Freshman Team
- G: JJ Starling, Notre Dame
- G: Judah Mintz, Syracuse
- G: Seth Trimble, North Carolina
- F: Dariq Whitehead, Duke
- C: Derek Lively II, Duke